“Evergreen Chase” is a sweet and festive short story mystery. Treat it like a Pixar's 'Zootopia' in book form, and you'll do just fine. In the spirit of Mystery Science Theater 3000, this is a delightful read if you 'repeat to yourself, it's just a story you should really just relax.' Don't ask why the beavers use saws, calling gnawing 'barbaric' nor question why the critter editor of the Shady Hallow Herald smokes a cigar like Perry White. The town has all the best amenities including a coffeeshop/diner, a Chinese food restaurant, and a gift and bookstore, Nevermore, owned and operated by Lenore, the raven. Despite the fact that the characters are woodland creatures of all sorts, all the residents from moose to mouse, get along well. Books in her quaint little series revolve around Vera Vixen, a fox, in an animal inhabited community known as Shady Hollow. Enjoying her descriptive and charming prose, I downloaded the short solstice-inspired (holiday) work as Book 41 of 36 in my 2022 #readingchallenge.Īt just 55 pages, this Kindle edition was a light, enjoyable, and quick overnight (November 26-27) read. I noticed that 'Evergreen Chase, a Shady Hollow Mystery Short' by Juneau Black (penname of authors Jocelyn Cole and Sharon Nagel) was available from my library's digital collection, so I read a sample of the first few pages. The 'Shady Hollow Mystery' series has been recommended by several readers I follow on social media. A reporter for the newspaper, a vixen, her colorful clothing described, was following clues to discover the thief.

The biggest tree was chosen to be decorated and displayed in the town square, but it was stolen. It was the time of the winter solstice festival.

They ate human food, and especially loved pies from their bakery. To add to my problem, there was a book store, a coffee shop, a shipping business, a newspaper office, police, and a church, and a shipping company, all run by animal characters. I liked the idea that these books would contain forest animals busily engaged in the solutions to the criminal activity of other forest creatures. Many years ago, my mother would read me Nancy Drew mysteries and the animal adventures written by Thornton Burgess. Here they did not retain their animal characteristics, and I had to keep reminding myself they were not human. I have no problems with stories containing talking animals, but they should think and behave like mammals, birds, and reptiles. When I read the premise, I believed it would be a relaxing break and something i would enjoy. These books focus on woodland animals solving mysteries. This short book, 54 pages on my Kindle, serves as an introduction to the forthcoming Shady Hollow Mystery series.

Shady hollow juneau black